The Australian Federal Police (AFP)’s Program Rampart has published
a Request for Interest (RFI) to the AusTender
website, seeking industry support to find an efficient way for the public
to provide audio and video media, imagery, email or location data to police.
(Program Rampart was
established in March 2016 to coordinate and implement the Protecting Law
Enforcement Personnel New Policy initiative. It is focused on delivering an
integrated security solution to safeguard AFP personnel and facilities.
Timely information from the public can play a key role in responding
to and investigating security incidents. The press release from AFP says that similar
technology is used by law enforcement agencies in the US and UK, and was one of
the factors that assisted with the early arrest of the Boston marathon bomber.
The AFP's development of this capability is expected to
provide a broader benefit to the new Department of Home Affairs and will assist
the National
Security Hotline.
The AFP preferably seeks to implement a commercial
off-the-shelf option which would enable the public to upload digital content in
support of verbal information provided to the National Security Hotline.
As lead agency in undertaking this project, the AFP will
consider the interests of a number of agencies including the Attorney General’s
Department, the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission and the Department
of Immigration and Border Protection.
AFP Deputy Commissioner Capability Ramzi Jabbour said the
AFP is working to implement enhanced digital capabilities in partnership with
industry and the community.
“Enabling members of the public to use every day mobile
devices to upload audio, video and images provides real time interaction and an
enhanced ability to prevent criminal activity,” Deputy Commissioner Jabbour
said. “Compliance with the highest standards of security and protection of
information provided by the public of course remains a major consideration for
the solution being sought.”
“The technology will also provide for ACT Policing to meet
its need for a self-service online reporting capability,” he added.
The closing date for questions and clarification is 2pm (ACT
local time) on 23 January 2018, while the RFI closing date is 2pm (ACT local
time) on 30 January 2018.
